In 1823, Fanny Mendelssohn (she would not become Fanny Hensel until several years later) composed eight Lieder inspired by poems by Wilhelm Müller, all of them taken from the first part of his collection Sieben und siebzig Gedichte aus den hinterlassenen Papieren eines reisenden Waldhornisten [Seventy-seven poems from the posthumous papers of a travelling horn-player], published in 1820. This collection, in addition to Die schöne Müllerin (Winterreise would appear in the second part, in 1824), also includes another cycle of poems, Johannes und Esther, which tells the story of a Christian man in love with a Jewish woman; an impossible love at the time, apparently inspired by a youthful romance of the poet.
The composer set two of the poems to music; one of them, the second in the collection, is Gebet in der Christnacht [Prayer on Christmas Night]. And this is the song I’m sharing with you this week, performed by Bettina Pahn and Christine Schornsheim. It is a gentle piece, beginning with a simple melody that becomes less clear as it unfolds. Since the song is in pure strophic form, we have three chances to listen to it and let ourselves be captivated by its charm.
It’s a busy day, full of last-minute details and kitchens filled with holiday bustle, so I won’t take a minute more than necessary. I just want to wish you peace, joy, light, hope, and the very best company. Merry Christmas!
O Liebe, die am Kreuze rang,
O Liebe, die den Tod bezwang
Für alle Menschenkinder,
Gedenk' in dieser heil'gen Nacht,
Die dich zu uns herab gebracht,
Der Seelen, die dir fehlen!
O Liebe, die den Stern gesandt
Hinaus ins ferne Morgenland,
Die Könige zu rufen;
Die laut durch ihres Boten Mund
Sich gab den armen Hirten kund,
Wie bist du still geworden?
Noch eine fromme Hirtin liegt
In blindem Schlummer eingewiegt
Und träumt von grünen Bäumen.
Singt nicht vor ihrem Fensterlein
Ein Engel: Esther, lass mich ein,
Der Heiland ist geboren?
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